WASHINGTON - Congressman Dave Loebsack reintroduced the Working to Encourage Community Action and Responsibility in Education (WE CARE) Act to help ensure that schools and communities work together with families to meet student needs inside and outside the classroom. The WE CARE Act will amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to more strategically engage the community in the education of our students and ensure they succeed in school and are prepared for productive employment when they graduate.

"I would not be where I am today without the support of my community.  Whether it was my principal helping me get a job to pay for college or my grandmother taking in my siblings and me, I know first-hand the importance of what happens outside the classroom to children's ability to succeed inside the classroom and throughout their lives.  I want to be sure that every child has access to the same supports that allowed me to lift myself out of poverty by my bootstraps," said Loebsack.  "When the full community is involved, our children will be best able to reach their full potential, secure good jobs when they graduate, and grow up to be the future leaders of our state and nation."

The bill is supported by First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children's advocacy organization.  "We've learned that what happens outside the classroom matters as much for a child's education as what happens inside. Rep. Loebsack gets it, and his WE CARE Act would give kids a better chance to succeed in school and life," said First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley.

The WE CARE Act amends ESEA to more strategically engage the community in the education of our students by:

·   Providing incentives for school districts, community-based organizations and others to work together to develop and implement Community Involvement Policies. These policies would leverage resources from the community to help meet students' non-academic needs and prepare them for success in the classroom.

·   Calling on state educational agencies and local educational agencies to include an analysis of the non-academic needs of students in their plans, along with a strategy for partnering with community-based organizations and others to meet those needs.

·   Calling on local educational agencies and schools to engage community stakeholders in the development of school improvement plans in order to utilize every possible resource available to strengthen student performance.

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the below statement regarding the Illinois House's passage of Senate Bill 2193, a massive overreach on the concealed carry issue that would automatically repeal local public safety ordinances including Chicago's assault weapons ban. The governor's office filed in opposition to the bill during committee yesterday.

"This legislation is wrong for Illinois.

"It was wrong yesterday in committee, it's wrong today, and it's wrong for the future of public safety in our state.

"The principle of home rule is an important one. As written, this legislation is a massive overreach that would repeal critical gun safety ordinances in Chicago, Cook County, and across Illinois.

"We need strong gun safety laws that protect the people of our state. Instead, this measure puts public safety at risk.

"I will not support this bill and I will work with members of the Illinois Senate to stop it in its tracks."

OMAHA, NE (05/24/2013)(readMedia)-- More than 1,600 degrees were conferred during Creighton University's Commencement ceremonies held May 18 at CenturyLink Center Omaha. University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., presided at both ceremonies.

Below are the graduates from your area.

Michael Barnes of Bettendorf earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude degree.

John Philibert of Rock Island earned a Bachelor of Science summa cum laude degree.

Sara Bollaert of Moline earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree.

Sara Bollaert of Moline earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Elizabeth Dentlinger of Moline earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Matthew Laughlin of Sterling earned a Master of Science in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution degree.

Maria Meyer of Eldridge earned a Master of Science in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution degree.

Andrea Millea of Davenport earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Emily Stensrud of Bettendorf earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree.

Emily Stensrud of Bettendorf earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

About Creighton University: Creighton University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution located in Omaha, Neb., enrolls more than 4,100 undergraduate and 3,200 professional school and graduate students. Nationally recognized for providing a balanced educational experience, the University offers a rigorous academic agenda with a broad range of disciplines, providing undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs that emphasize educating the whole person: academically, socially and spiritually. Creighton has been a top-ranked Midwestern university in the college edition of U.S. News & World Report magazine for more than 20 years. For more information, visit our website at: www.creighton.edu

Join the Davenport Public Library for a fun-filled action-packed carnival, kicking off the 2013 Summer Reading Program!  On Saturday, June 1, the Eastern Avenue Branch (6000 Eastern Avenue) will offer an afternoon of fun and adventure between noon and 4:00 p.m.!  The first stop will be to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, with this year's "Dig Into Reading" theme.  We'll have information about the program, and the grand prizes will be on display.  This year's grand prizes include gift baskets and two 16" bicycles courtesy of Jerry & Sparky's Cycling & Fitness.  After signing up, be sure to stay around and enjoy games, a dunk tank, and get your picture taken with Libby the Library Dog in all her glory as a 25' balloon!

The Davenport Public Library would like to thank the following organizations for their donations to the Davenport Public Library Summer Reading Program:  FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library, Quad City Times, Jerry & Sparky's Cycling & Fitness, HyVee, Monkey Joes, and Isabel Bloom.